[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36476-36477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17714]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 68

[CC Docket No. 88-57; FCC 97-209]


Connection of Simple Inside Wiring to the Telephone Network and 
Petition for Modification

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: On June 17, 1997, the Commission released a Second Further 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SFNPRM) addressing the connection of 
inside wiring to the telephone network. The SFNPRM is intended to 
obtain comment on several issues related to the demarcation point.

DATES: Comments must be filed on or before July 17, 1997, and reply 
comments must be filed on or before August 1, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill von Alven, Senior Engineer (202) 
418-2342, or Marian Gordon, Special

[[Page 36477]]

Counsel, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-
2337.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This summarizes the Commission's Second 
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of Review of 
Secs. 68.104 and 68.213 of the Commission's Rules Concerning Connection 
of Simple Inside Wiring to the Telephone Network and Petition for 
Modification of Sec. 68.213 of the Commission's Rules filed by 
Electronic Industries Association, FCC 97-209, adopted June 12, 1997, 
and released June 17, 1997. The Commission concurrently released an 
Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order in the same 
docket. The file is available for inspection and copying during the 
weekday hours of 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Commission's Reference 
Center, room 239, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington D.C., or copies may be 
purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor, ITS, Inc. 2100 
M St., N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037, phone (202) 857-3800.

Analysis of Proceeding

    1. The SFNPRM asks for comment on the application of the revised 
demarcation point definition to complex wiring. The Commission seeks 
comment on whether it should continue to allow the telephone company 
demarcation point to be placed away from a building, at the property 
line. The Commission seeks comment on whether the use of poor quality 
inside wiring in one building affects service in other buildings. It 
also asks for comment on an enhanced wire quality standard designed to 
address the problem of cross-talk. The Commission seeks comment on 
whether the enhanced wire quality standard should be adopted as a two-
year interim standard, and what industry body or bodies should be the 
entity through which members work to develop a permanent standard to 
solve the problems created by poor quality inside wiring. It asks 
whether the enhanced wire quality standard is overly restrictive. The 
Commission also requests comment on a proposal that wire meeting the 
proposed interim standard be marked at specific intervals. The 
Commission asks for comment on whether the standard for determining 
whether a material meets the requirements for gold or gold equivalence, 
should also be an interim standard effective for two years, until 
industry develops a permanent standard. It seeks comment concerning 
through which industry body or bodies a permanent standard should be 
developed if the standard becomes only an interim standard.
    2. It is further ordered that, pursuant to Sections 1, 4, 201-205, 
218, and 220, of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 
Secs. 151, 154, 201-205, 218, and 220, and 5 U.S.C. Secs. 552 and 553, 
Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is provided to amend part 
68 of the Commission's rules, as described herein.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 68

    Telephone.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

    Accordingly part 68 of title 47 is proposed to be amended as 
follows:

PART 68--CONNECTION OF TERMINAL EQUIPMENT TO THE NETWORK

    1. The authority citation for part 68 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 1, 4, 5, 201-5, 208, 215, 218, 226, 227, 303, 
313, 314, 403, 404, 410, 602 of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 155, 201-5, 208, 215, 218, 226, 227, 
303, 313, 314, 403, 404, 410, 602.

    2. Section 68.213 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraph 
(c) to read as follows:


Sec. 68.213  Installation of other than ``fully protected'' non-system 
simple customer premises wiring.

* * * * *
    (c) Material requirements.
    (1) For new installations and modifications to existing 
installations, conductors shall be solid, 24 gauge or larger, twisted 
copper pairs which comply with the electrical specifications for 
Category 3 or higher as defined in the ANSI EIA/TIA Building Wiring 
Standards.
    (2) Conductors shall have insulation with a 1500 Volt rms minimum 
breakdown rating. This rating shall be established by covering the 
jacket or sheath with at least 15 cm (6 in) (measured linearly on the 
cable) of conductive foil, and establishing a potential difference 
between the foil and all of the individual conductors connected 
together, such potential difference gradually increased over a 30 
second time period to 1500 Volts rms, 60 Hertz, then applied 
continuously for one minute. At no time during this 90 second time 
interval shall the current between these points exceed 10 milliamperes 
peak.
    (3) All wire and connectors meeting the requirements set forth in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section shall be marked in a manner 
visible to the consumer, as recommended in the ANSI EIA/TIA premises 
cabling standards.
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[FR Doc. 97-17714 Filed 7-7-97; 8:45 am]
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